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Gallery MoonEyes Xmas Photo 11 of 47It just ain't Xmas without the MoonEyes Xmas Car Show and Dragz: hundreds of lead sledz, customz, bombz and other items ending in "z." With the T-shirt shacks to go with 'em. There were also live bands and real drag racin'. Go Moon!

Photo by Mark Vaughn

Gallery MoonEyes Xmas Photo 22 of 47It just ain't Xmas without the MoonEyes Xmas Car Show and Dragz: hundreds of lead sleds, customz, bombz and other items ending in "z." With the T-shirt shacks to go with 'em. There were also live bands and real drag racin'. Go Moon!

Photo by Mark Vaughn

Gallery MoonEyes Xmas Photo 33 of 47It just ain't Xmas without the MoonEyes Xmas Car Show and Dragz: hundreds of lead sleds, customz, bombz and other items ending in "z." With the T-shirt shacks to go with 'em. There were also live bands and real drag racin'. Go Moon!

Photo by Mark Vaughn

Gallery MoonEyes Xmas Photo 44 of 47It just ain't Xmas without the MoonEyes Xmas Car Show and Dragz: hundreds of lead sleds, customz, bombz and other items ending in "z." With the T-shirt shacks to go with 'em. There were also live bands and real drag racin'. Go Moon!

Photo by Mark Vaughn

Gallery MoonEyes Xmas Photo 55 of 47It just ain't Xmas without the MoonEyes Xmas Car Show and Dragz: hundreds of lead sleds, customz, bombz and other items ending in "z." With the T-shirt shacks to go with 'em. There were also live bands and real drag racin'. Go Moon!

Photo by Mark Vaughn

Gallery MoonEyes Xmas Photo 66 of 47It just ain't Xmas without the MoonEyes Xmas Car Show and Dragz: hundreds of lead sleds, customz, bombz and other items ending in "z." With the T-shirt shacks to go with 'em. There were also live bands and real drag racin'. Go Moon!

Photo by Mark Vaughn

Gallery MoonEyes Xmas Photo 77 of 47It just ain't Xmas without the MoonEyes Xmas Car Show and Dragz: hundreds of lead sleds, customz, bombz and other items ending in "z." With the T-shirt shacks to go with 'em. There were also live bands and real drag racin'. Go Moon!

Photo by Mark Vaughn

Gallery MoonEyes Xmas Photo 88 of 47It just ain't Xmas without the MoonEyes Xmas Car Show and Dragz: hundreds of lead sleds, customz, bombz and other items ending in "z." With the T-shirt shacks to go with 'em. There were also live bands and real drag racin'. Go Moon!

Photo by Mark Vaughn

Gallery MoonEyes Xmas Photo 99 of 47It just ain't Xmas without the MoonEyes Xmas Car Show and Dragz: hundreds of lead sleds, customz, bombz and other items ending in "z." With the T-shirt shacks to go with 'em. There were also live bands and real drag racin'. Go Moon!

Photo by Mark Vaughn

Gallery MoonEyes Xmas Photo 1010 of 47It just ain't Xmas without the MoonEyes Xmas Car Show and Dragz: hundreds of lead sleds, customz, bombz and other items ending in "z." With the T-shirt shacks to go with 'em. There were also live bands and real drag racin'. Go Moon!

Photo by Mark Vaughn

Gallery MoonEyes Xmas Photo 1111 of 47It just ain't Xmas without the MoonEyes Xmas Car Show and Dragz: hundreds of lead sleds, customz, bombz and other items ending in "z." With the T-shirt shacks to go with 'em. There were also live bands and real drag racin'. Go Moon!

Photo by Mark Vaughn

Gallery MoonEyes Xmas Photo 1212 of 47It just ain't Xmas without the MoonEyes Xmas Car Show and Dragz: hundreds of lead sleds, customz, bombz and other items ending in "z." With the T-shirt shacks to go with 'em. There were also live bands and real drag racin'. Go Moon!

Photo by Mark Vaughn

Gallery MoonEyes Xmas Photo 1313 of 47It just ain't Xmas without the MoonEyes Xmas Car Show and Dragz: hundreds of lead sleds, customz, bombz and other items ending in "z." With the T-shirt shacks to go with 'em. There were also live bands and real drag racin'. Go Moon!

Photo by Mark Vaughn

Gallery MoonEyes Xmas Photo 1414 of 47It just ain't Xmas without the MoonEyes Xmas Car Show and Dragz: hundreds of lead sleds, customz, bombz and other items ending in "z." With the T-shirt shacks to go with 'em. There were also live bands and real drag racin'. Go Moon!

Photo by Mark Vaughn

Gallery MoonEyes Xmas Photo 1515 of 47It just ain't Xmas without the MoonEyes Xmas Car Show and Dragz: hundreds of lead sleds, customz, bombz and other items ending in "z." With the T-shirt shacks to go with 'em. There were also live bands and real drag racin'. Go Moon!

Photo by Mark Vaughn

Gallery MoonEyes Xmas Photo 1616 of 47It just ain't Xmas without the MoonEyes Xmas Car Show and Dragz: hundreds of lead sleds, customz, bombz and other items ending in "z." With the T-shirt shacks to go with 'em. There were also live bands and real drag racin'. Go Moon!

Photo by Mark Vaughn

Gallery MoonEyes Xmas Photo 1717 of 47It just ain't Xmas without the MoonEyes Xmas Car Show and Dragz: hundreds of lead sleds, customz, bombz and other items ending in "z." With the T-shirt shacks to go with 'em. There were also live bands and real drag racin'. Go Moon!

Photo by Mark Vaughn

Gallery MoonEyes Xmas Photo 1818 of 47It just ain't Xmas without the MoonEyes Xmas Car Show and Dragz: hundreds of lead sleds, customz, bombz and other items ending in "z." With the T-shirt shacks to go with 'em. There were also live bands and real drag racin'. Go Moon!

Photo by Mark Vaughn

Gallery MoonEyes Xmas Photo 1919 of 47It just ain't Xmas without the MoonEyes Xmas Car Show and Dragz: hundreds of lead sleds, customz, bombz and other items ending in "z." With the T-shirt shacks to go with 'em. There were also live bands and real drag racin'. Go Moon!

Photo by Mark Vaughn

Gallery MoonEyes Xmas Photo 2020 of 47It just ain't Xmas without the MoonEyes Xmas Car Show and Dragz: hundreds of lead sleds, customz, bombz and other items ending in "z." With the T-shirt shacks to go with 'em. There were also live bands and real drag racin'. Go Moon!

Photo by Mark Vaughn

Gallery MoonEyes Xmas Photo 2121 of 47It just ain't Xmas without the MoonEyes Xmas Car Show and Dragz: hundreds of lead sleds, customz, bombz and other items ending in "z." With the T-shirt shacks to go with 'em. There were also live bands and real drag racin'. Go Moon!

Photo by Mark Vaughn

Gallery MoonEyes Xmas Photo 2222 of 47It just ain't Xmas without the MoonEyes Xmas Car Show and Dragz: hundreds of lead sleds, customz, bombz and other items ending in "z." With the T-shirt shacks to go with 'em. There were also live bands and real drag racin'. Go Moon!

Photo by Mark Vaughn

Gallery MoonEyes Xmas Photo 2323 of 47It just ain't Xmas without the MoonEyes Xmas Car Show and Dragz: hundreds of lead sleds, customz, bombz and other items ending in "z." With the T-shirt shacks to go with 'em. There were also live bands and real drag racin'. Go Moon!

Photo by Mark Vaughn

Gallery MoonEyes Xmas Photo 2424 of 47It just ain't Xmas without the MoonEyes Xmas Car Show and Dragz: hundreds of lead sleds, customz, bombz and other items ending in "z." With the T-shirt shacks to go with 'em. There were also live bands and real drag racin'. Go Moon!

Photo by Mark Vaughn

Gallery MoonEyes Xmas Photo 2525 of 47It just ain't Xmas without the MoonEyes Xmas Car Show and Dragz: hundreds of lead sleds, customz, bombz and other items ending in "z." With the T-shirt shacks to go with 'em. There were also live bands and real drag racin'. Go Moon!

Photo by Mark Vaughn

Gallery MoonEyes Xmas Photo 2626 of 47It just ain't Xmas without the MoonEyes Xmas Car Show and Dragz: hundreds of lead sleds, customz, bombz and other items ending in "z." With the T-shirt shacks to go with 'em. There were also live bands and real drag racin'. Go Moon!

Photo by Mark Vaughn

Gallery MoonEyes Xmas Photo 2727 of 47It just ain't Xmas without the MoonEyes Xmas Car Show and Dragz: hundreds of lead sleds, customz, bombz and other items ending in "z." With the T-shirt shacks to go with 'em. There were also live bands and real drag racin'. Go Moon!

Photo by Mark Vaughn

Gallery MoonEyes Xmas Photo 2828 of 47It just ain't Xmas without the MoonEyes Xmas Car Show and Dragz: hundreds of lead sleds, customz, bombz and other items ending in "z." With the T-shirt shacks to go with 'em. There were also live bands and real drag racin'. Go Moon!

Photo by Mark Vaughn

Gallery MoonEyes Xmas Photo 2929 of 47It just ain't Xmas without the MoonEyes Xmas Car Show and Dragz: hundreds of lead sleds, customz, bombz and other items ending in "z." With the T-shirt shacks to go with 'em. There were also live bands and real drag racin'. Go Moon!

Photo by Mark Vaughn

Gallery MoonEyes Xmas Photo 3030 of 47It just ain't Xmas without the MoonEyes Xmas Car Show and Dragz: hundreds of lead sleds, customz, bombz and other items ending in "z." With the T-shirt shacks to go with 'em. There were also live bands and real drag racin'. Go Moon!

Photo by Mark Vaughn

Gallery MoonEyes Xmas Photo 3131 of 47It just ain't Xmas without the MoonEyes Xmas Car Show and Dragz: hundreds of lead sleds, customz, bombz and other items ending in "z." With the T-shirt shacks to go with 'em. There were also live bands and real drag racin'. Go Moon!

Photo by Mark Vaughn

Gallery MoonEyes Xmas Photo 3232 of 47It just ain't Xmas without the MoonEyes Xmas Car Show and Dragz: hundreds of lead sleds, customz, bombz and other items ending in "z." With the T-shirt shacks to go with 'em. There were also live bands and real drag racin'. Go Moon!

Photo by Mark Vaughn

Gallery MoonEyes Xmas Photo 3333 of 47It just ain't Xmas without the MoonEyes Xmas Car Show and Dragz: hundreds of lead sleds, customz, bombz and other items ending in "z." With the T-shirt shacks to go with 'em. There were also live bands and real drag racin'. Go Moon!

Photo by Mark Vaughn

Gallery MoonEyes Xmas Photo 3434 of 47It just ain't Xmas without the MoonEyes Xmas Car Show and Dragz: hundreds of lead sleds, customz, bombz and other items ending in "z." With the T-shirt shacks to go with 'em. There were also live bands and real drag racin'. Go Moon!

Photo by Mark Vaughn

Gallery MoonEyes Xmas Photo 3535 of 47It just ain't Xmas without the MoonEyes Xmas Car Show and Dragz: hundreds of lead sleds, customz, bombz and other items ending in "z." With the T-shirt shacks to go with 'em. There were also live bands and real drag racin'. Go Moon!

Photo by Mark Vaughn

Gallery MoonEyes Xmas Photo 3636 of 47It just ain't Xmas without the MoonEyes Xmas Car Show and Dragz: hundreds of lead sleds, customz, bombz and other items ending in "z." With the T-shirt shacks to go with 'em. There were also live bands and real drag racin'. Go Moon!

Photo by Mark Vaughn

Gallery MoonEyes Xmas Photo 3737 of 47It just ain't Xmas without the MoonEyes Xmas Car Show and Dragz: hundreds of lead sleds, customz, bombz and other items ending in "z." With the T-shirt shacks to go with 'em. There were also live bands and real drag racin'. Go Moon!

Photo by Mark Vaughn

Gallery MoonEyes Xmas Photo 3838 of 47It just ain't Xmas without the MoonEyes Xmas Car Show and Dragz: hundreds of lead sleds, customz, bombz and other items ending in "z." With the T-shirt shacks to go with 'em. There were also live bands and real drag racin'. Go Moon!

Photo by Mark Vaughn

Gallery MoonEyes Xmas Photo 3939 of 47It just ain't Xmas without the MoonEyes Xmas Car Show and Dragz: hundreds of lead sleds, customz, bombz and other items ending in "z." With the T-shirt shacks to go with 'em. There were also live bands and real drag racin'. Go Moon!

Photo by Mark Vaughn

Gallery MoonEyes Xmas Photo 4040 of 47It just ain't Xmas without the MoonEyes Xmas Car Show and Dragz: hundreds of lead sleds, customz, bombz and other items ending in "z." With the T-shirt shacks to go with 'em. There were also live bands and real drag racin'. Go Moon!

Photo by Mark Vaughn

Gallery MoonEyes Xmas Photo 4141 of 47It just ain't Xmas without the MoonEyes Xmas Car Show and Dragz: hundreds of lead sleds, customz, bombz and other items ending in "z." With the T-shirt shacks to go with 'em. There were also live bands and real drag racin'. Go Moon!

Photo by Mark Vaughn

Gallery MoonEyes Xmas Photo 4242 of 47It just ain't Xmas without the MoonEyes Xmas Car Show and Dragz: hundreds of lead sleds, customz, bombz and other items ending in "z." With the T-shirt shacks to go with 'em. There were also live bands and real drag racin'. Go Moon!

Photo by Mark Vaughn

Gallery MoonEyes Xmas Photo 4343 of 47It just ain't Xmas without the MoonEyes Xmas Car Show and Dragz: hundreds of lead sleds, customz, bombz and other items ending in "z." With the T-shirt shacks to go with 'em. There were also live bands and real drag racin'. Go Moon!

Photo by Mark Vaughn

Gallery MoonEyes Xmas Photo 4444 of 47It just ain't Xmas without the MoonEyes Xmas Car Show and Dragz: hundreds of lead sleds, customz, bombz and other items ending in "z." With the T-shirt shacks to go with 'em. There were also live bands and real drag racin'. Go Moon!

Photo by Mark Vaughn

Gallery MoonEyes Xmas Photo 4545 of 47It just ain't Xmas without the MoonEyes Xmas Car Show and Dragz: hundreds of lead sleds, customz, bombz and other items ending in "z." With the T-shirt shacks to go with 'em. There were also live bands and real drag racin'. Go Moon!

Photo by Mark Vaughn

Gallery MoonEyes Xmas Photo 4646 of 47It just ain't Xmas without the MoonEyes Xmas Car Show and Dragz: hundreds of lead sleds, customz, bombz and other items ending in "z." With the T-shirt shacks to go with 'em. There were also live bands and real drag racin'. Go Moon!

Mooneyes Xmas Party Show & Drag 2016

Our favorite cars from the annual hot rod, custom, dragster and chopper show

December 12, 2016

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How do you know it’s Christmas in Southern California? When the rods return to Irwindale for the Mooneyes Xmas Party Show & Drag!

This gathering is unique even among the hundreds of car-related happenings that populate the car calendar in SoCal. Not only does it mix a car show with live bands, real, live drag races on Irwindale’s NHRA-sanctioned 1/8th mile drag strip, and more T-shirt tents than you can shake a camshaft at, it’s also something of a generational bridge. The Mooneyes party brings together traditional older hot rodders and drag racers with younger guys who are putting their own spin on the custom car. So while you’ll see some rat rods, the majority of cars in the parking lot of Irwindale Event Center are made by guys too young to have been around when hot rodding was just getting started.

The late Dean Moon was around when hot rodding started. He was a lakes and drag racer who lived in Southern California and started building speed equipment for hot rods and race cars. He started Moon Equipment in the early ‘50s and built the brand into one of the major players in the speed equipment business. The Mooneyes logo, that bugged-out pair of black and white eyeballs looking down and to the left (or right), is among the most recognizable symbols in all of racing.

When Dean Moon passed away in 1987, one of his longtime dealers, Shige Suganuma, who had a Mooneyes dealership in Japan, kept the company going. It’s not clear when the Christmas party first happened, but it is now so big a deal that it fills Irwindale’s parking lot, with overflow parking filling up the half-mile paved oval, too.

It’s a glorious mixture of the many cultures that make up Southern California. Some of the car club banners we saw walking through the pits included: Los Valientes, Los Pobres, Lost Cats, Degenerates, Bomb Club, Stilletos, Con Stilo, Vieitos and Boulevard Bombs.

The drag races were run mostly by pre-1969 muscle cars, including wheel-standing Mustangs and all manner of American muscle. One car crashed at the strip’s end, and the driver was taken to the hospital, but word is he was going to be okay.